The holiday season is a time to be with family. But, how do you strike up a conversation with your third cousin twice removed, whom you are certain you have never met? You play a round of Rory’s Story Cubes! Simply take turns rolling the nine “story cubes” and telling tales inspired by the pictures that come up. What better way to impress your relatives than to tell them about that time you “Flew around the world in your hot air balloon and climbed the pyramids of Giza with your pet sheep?” There are no winners or losers in this game. Everyone will know that your story is the best, so there is no need to get competitive with the in-laws.
Pass the Pigs:
At Thanksgiving Dinner, while passing the turkey and mashed potatoes, don’t forget to also Pass the Pigs! Toss the silly swine and rack up points according to how the two pigs land. Watching you roll oinkers, trotters, and snouters, your relatives will soon be squealing with laughter. But, remember not to “pig out,” or you could lose everything! When your turn is over, don’t be a hog – pass the pigs!
For a twist on an old classic, give Tic Tac Turn a spin. This game of challenge and strategy takes tic-tac-toe to a whole new level – or, four whole new levels, to be exact. On your turn, place one of your pieces on any of the four levels, OR rotate a level (to either help yourself or hinder an opponent). The concept is simple - align four pieces, using any or all of the four levels, and play with up to four people – but, this game will require a cunning strategy to win!
Kanoodle:
This brainteaser, recommended for children 7 and up, is easy enough for children, but challenging enough for those of us in the “and up” category. Whether you are filling in the 2D grid or constructing the 3D pyramids, the instruction booklet shows you how to begin, but you must figure out how to arrange the remaining pieces-of assorted shapes and sizes-on your own. The Timbuk Toy Experts are stuck on this game, (in more ways than one)! Can your noodle handle Kanoodle?
Killer Bunnies:
Keep as many of your bunnies alive as possible while collecting carrots, avoiding hillbilly barbeques, and dodging such dangerous weapons as the dreaded kitchen whisk! This game of rogue rabbits is not for the faint of heart, and is recommended for children over 13.
In order to succeed in this unique game, adventurers must band together and use each other’s special abilities to collect the treasure before the island sinks! This game, recommended for children 10 and over, inspires cooperation rather than competition!
